After spending six months filming the stories of trafficked children in Benin who have experienced exploitation, beatings, malnutrition, and a host of other atrocities, I began to wonder how I should celebrate Independence Day. Sure, America is free, but that’s not good enough for me. Is it good enough for you?
Why can’t the children of Benin and the rest of the children like them not know freedom like you and I do? As you celebrate 4th of July with fireworks, BBQs, red, white, and blue, Unseen Stories invites you to remember the 27 million people around the world who are not free. Please allow your heart to break for them as you realize that America’s freedom is not good enough. But why stop there? I challenge you to spend at least a moment of your 4th of July celebration doing something proactive to help end worldwide slavery. Here are a few suggestions…
- Write an encouraging letter or email to the directors of anti-slavery organizations to thank them for their work. Organizations like, Free the Slaves, International Justice Mission, Sanctuary of Moses, Global Peace Exchange, UNICEF, Invisible Children or a member of the US government active in the fight. Unseen Stories would be happy to assist in this and put you in contact with the organizations in Benin who are working to end child trafficking.
- Give to a worthy cause that is already fighting to end slavery and exploitation of children.
- Tell people at your 4th of July celebration about the realities of slavery in our world.
On July 4th, let’s celebrate our freedom and ability to DO something about the 27 million slaves around the world.
Unseen Stories
See the Story. Be the Change.
Posted by kaitlynsummerill
